Indian Express reported that Sterlite Industries has offered to pay INR 16,000 crore to buy government stakes in Hindustan Zinc and Bharat Aluminum Company in which the majority holding was acquired by the Vedanta group about a decade back.

Mr Anil Agarwal chairman of the USD 70 billion metal and mining conglomerate said that "Government had asked us, if we will be interested to take its stakes in HZL and Balco. We answered in the affirmative. As per the prevailing market price, we have offered INR 16,000 crore for buying stakes. That was in January."

He said that the price Vedanta has quoted for buying residual stakes in HZL was based on a month's average stock price of the zinc producer. Vedanta had acquired government's 51% stake in Balco in 2001 during the NDA regime for INR 551 crore. Government still has 29.54% stake in Hindustan Zinc and 49% holding in Balco.

The government does not seem to be happy with the valuation quoted by Vedanta and an empowered group of ministers which is looking into the matter had favored a status quo till a fair valuation is arrived at.

Mr Agarwal said that since January Vedanta did not receive any communication from the government and against this backdrop, it would not be possible for him to give any time frame when the deals would be through. This is not in my hand. It is up to the government.

(Sourced from www.indianexpress.com)